Mentally ill MP woman rescued and sent home after treatment

Jesodha, who hailed from a family of agricultural labourers, left for her hometown Chhattarpur by GT Express from Chennai Central on Tuesday evening, accompanied by her husband Raj, sister and brother-in-law.

Rita Iyyappan, a special educator at Little Hearts that also manages a night shelter allotted by the state Health Department, said that Jesodha was found wandering in the Panayur Marketin March this year. 

Speaking to DT Next, Rita said, “She was completely lost and was talking to herself. When I approached her and asked her to come with me, she was hesitant. Later, a couple of persons who could speak in Hindi convinced her that she would be provided food and shelter.”

After a check-up, Jesodha, mother of four children, was found to be pregnant and also showed signs of psychiatric ailment. “We made her undergo treatment and carried out tests and scans every month to ensure her well-being during pregnancy. Jesodha stayed at the night shelter during the treatment.” Rita said she recovered and was doing well, after the extensive treatment. 

“We sent word through the police to other states, asking for missing persons. Her photo was matched with the records in Chhattarpur and her family was tracked down,” she added. Rita had wandered from her house, after she stepped out In March. 

SM Venkatesh, a social worker, who also coordinated the efforts for tracking her family, said, “We couldn’t find out how she reached Chennai.” Meeting her husband and sister Jesodha was overjoyed and cried with relief. Little Hearts will be following up with Jesodha for three to six months.